Colossians 2:1-5
For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face. 2I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments. 5For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Reading these letters to the various churches gives us a little bit of insight to how the community struggled, and what encouragement came from these messages. The writer of this letter (either Paul or a disciple of Paul, scholars are uncertain) wants the Christians living in Colossae to know that they are united with Christ, regardless of what others might be teaching them.
There were an abundance of false teachers at the time, and given how these communities were often isolated from other believers, letters with such messages were important to them. I don’t know that we’re as concerned with such things, today, but I take comfort in the words of this letter regardless. It is always helpful to hear words of solidarity in faith from someone cheering for you. Let us rejoice together!
Peace,
Pastor Jenn
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